About Camp Whirlygig
Camp Whirlygig is thrilled to announce registration for the 2025 season of summer camp at the Wenham Museum in partnership with the Wenham Village Improvement Society (WVIS). Geared to young campers ages 4 – 10, Camp Whirlygig fosters fun, friendship, and curiosity. A caring and supportive environment will create a comfortable summer camp experience for younger children.
Young campers will enjoy open-ended, child-centered arts enrichments in studio art and performance; explorations related to museum exhibitions, local history, and culture; STEM and STEAM experiments; mindfulness and movement experiences designed to support emotional development; outdoor recreation and games; athletic exploration that may include tennis, pickleball and soccer; free play on the playground; and friendship-building activities within camper groups.
- Early drop-off available starting at 7:45 a.m. for $50 per week, regardless of use.
- Extended pickup available until 4:00 p.m. for $50 per week, regardless of use.
Camper Groups
Early Explorers Day Camp – Half Day (Ages 4 – 5)
This half-day camp experience is ideal for first time campers or for those who prefer a shorter camp day. Weekly schedules are structured with a sampling of all that Camp Whirlygig has to offer, including special theme days.
- Half-Day: 8:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Staff Ratio – 3 staff : 15 campers
- WVIS Member – Weekly Rate: $265.00
- Wenham Museum Member – Weekly Rate: $265.00
- General Public – Weekly Rate: $295.00
View a sample schedule for the week: Early Explorers Half Day
*Campers must be four years old by June 1, 2025 and bathroom independent to attend camp.
Early Explorers Day Camp – Full Day (Ages 4 – 5)
This full-day camp experience is ideal for returning campers or campers with older siblings. Weekly schedules are structured to include more opportunities to experience all the activities Camp Whirlygig has to offer as compared to half day campers, including special theme days.
- Full-Day: 8:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- Extended Pickup to 4:00 pm ($50 per week)
- Staff Ratio – 3 staff : 15 campers
- WVIS Member – Weekly Rate: $465.00
- Wenham Museum Member – Weekly Rate: $465.00
- General Public – Weekly Rate: $495.00
View a sample schedule for the week: Early Explorers Full Day
*Campers must be four years old by June 1, 2025 and bathroom independent to attend camp.
Adventurers Day Camp – Full Day (Ages 6 – 7)
Weekly schedules are structured to include many opportunities to experience all the activities Camp Whirlygig has to offer, including extra time on the tennis and pickleball courts and special theme days.
- Full-Day: 8:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- Extended Pickup to 4:00 pm ($50 per week)
- Staff Ratio – 3 staff : 15 campers
- WVIS Member – Weekly Rate: $465.00
- Wenham Museum Member – Weekly Rate: $465.00
- General Public – Weekly Rate: $495.00
View a sample schedule for the week: Adventurers
Historians Day Camp – Full Day (Ages 8 – 10)
Weekly schedules are structured to allow even deeper skill development across all of the activities that Camp Whirlygig has to offer, including extra time on the tennis and pickleball courts and special theme days.
- Full-Day: 8:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- Extended Pickup to 4:00 pm ($50 per week)
- Staff Ratio – 3 staff : 18 campers
- WVIS Member – Weekly Rate: $465.00
- Wenham Museum Member – Weekly Rate: $465.00
- General Public – Weekly Rate: $495.00
View a sample schedule for the week: Historians
Camp Sessions & Weekly Themes
Camp Whirlygig will have weekly themes to guide activities and enrichment opportunities. A special guest or walkable field trip will culminate each week.
Camp activities take place within the galleries, program spaces, and lawn of the Wenham Museum and the playground, field, and tennis courts owned by WVIS behind the historic Wenham Tea House. Camper drop-off and pick-up will occur at the Wenham Museum.
Camp Whirlygig runs from July 7th through August 15th. If you are looking for something to do before the camp season, please consider the daily drop-off morning programs being offered at the Wenham Museum from June 23rd to July 3rd. Learn about our June Summer Discovery Days.
Week 1: Monday, July 7 – Friday July 11
- Storytelling
- Special Event: Pumpernickel Puppets Show
Week 2: Monday, July 14 – Friday, July 18
- Under the Big Top
- Special Event: Yo-Yo Guy Performance
Week 3: Monday, July 21 – Friday, July 25
- TBA
- Special Event: TBA
Week 4: Monday, July 28 – Friday, Aug. 1
- Natural Wonders
- Special Event: Beekeeping with Lupine Lane Apiary
Week 5: Monday, Aug. 4 – Friday, Aug. 8
- African Safari
- Special Event: Amazing Animal Ambassadors
Week 6: Monday, Aug. 11 – Friday, Aug. 15
- Time Travel
- Special Event: Traditional carnival fun with games, facepainting and more!
Fees & Payments
Camp Tuition
Camp tuition is assessed on a weekly basis. Members of the Wenham Museum and members of the Wenham Village Improvement Society receive discounted camp tuition (with a discount code that is provided during the registration process).
Additional Discounts
The following choice of discounts are available:
- Family Discount: Siblings receive a 10% discount on camp tuition for any weeks when multiple siblings are enrolled. This discount is automatically applied.
- Multi-Week Discount: Campers who register for multiple weeks receive a 10% discount on camp tuition. This discount is available using a discount code that is provided during the registration process.
- Note: The multiweek discount cannot be combined with any other discount.
Discounts and final amounts owed will be calculated when you finalize your registration through the museum’s camp management software, Camp Brain.
Payment Plans
Monthly payment plans are available during check out through the museum’s camp management software, Camp Brain. Installments are processed on the 15th of each month.
Camp tuition must be paid in full by May 15th or upon registration if signing up after that date.
Registration Fee
A non-refundable registration fee of $50.00 per camper is due at the time of registration. This registration fee is separate from the weekly camp deposit.
Tuition Deposit
We require a deposit of $100.00 for each week you wish to enroll your child in camp. Deposits are refundable less a $20.00 fee prior to March 30, 2025.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available for anyone requiring assistance with camp fees. Please contact Margaurita Spear, Camp Director, via e-mail.
Priority Registration
Members of the Wenham Museum and members of the Wenham Village Improvement Society receive priority registration per the following dates:
January 15, 2025: Wenham Museum Members & WVIS Members
January 21, 2025: General Public
Note: Priority registration is on the honor system. However, registrations will be reviewed to ensure active membership status.
Support
Sponsor a Camper
Anyone wishing to support our efforts to provide financial assistance to families this summer will have the opportunity to add-on a sponsorship of $100 during registration. If you wish to support a camp experience for a child in need this summer without registering, you may do so in-person or by mail with a check. Please write “Camp Scholarship” in the memo line.
Special Thanks
The Wenham Museum would like to recognize the generosity and leadership of the Wenham Village Improvement Society (WVIS) in bringing Camp Whirlygig to life. As the founder of the Wenham Museum, WVIS has always been an important partner. With this collaboration and with their generous grant to underwrite Camp Whirlygig with the Wenham Museum, they have demonstrated incredible commitment to this community and its heritage as well as the families we serve. You may make unrestricted donations in support of the Wenham Village Improvement Society online here.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact our Camp Director during regular business hours, Monday – Friday:
Margaurita Spear
Museum Educator / Camp Director
E-mail | (978) 468-2377, ext. 119
Camp Forms
Forms to Complete & Upload into CampBrain
2025 CWG Medication Administration Form
2025 CWG Self-Carry and Self-Administer Medication Permission Form
Note: Vaccination information is requested due to state-mandated requirements in order to run Camp Whirlygig as an approved recreational camp.
Documents for Your Review / Information
Meningococcal Disease and Camps
MA Immunization Guidelines for Schools and Camps
2025 CWG Family and Camper Handbook
Employment
Looking for a summer Job? Join us at Camp Whirlygig!
We are hiring for all positions for our summer camp: activity specialists, counselors, health office and more! Click below for details and to apply!
Camp Whirlygig is in regulatory compliance with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health regulations for recreational camps 105 CMR 430.00.
Parents may request copies of background check, health care and discipline policies as well as procedures for filing grievances from Camp Whirlygig at any time.